Erap bares senatorial bets
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada is still torn as to whom to support between his godchild, Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares and his ‘kumpadre’, Vice President Jejomar Binay in next year’s presidential election.
Coming up with a list of his choice 12 senatorial bets was easier to do.
Topping his list is his Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso (Isko Moreno) who is openly supporting Poe and her running mate Sen. Francis Escudero.
The others on Estrada’s list are : former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, boxing icon and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, human rights lawyer and Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Francis Tolentino, former Special Action Force (SAF) chief retired police Dir. Getulio Napeñas, Valenzuela city Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, Sen. Serge Osmeña, Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon, Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez, former Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) secretary Joel Villanueva and former Sen. Miguel Zubiri.
AlDub senator Asked why the name of TV host Sen. Tito Sotto hes not on his list, Estrada laughed and said Sotto no longer needs his endorsement because the noontime AlDub kalyeserye could already bring him back to the Senate.
Estrada raised an eyebrow and shook his head when former Justice Secretary Leila De Lima’s name was mentioned.
Not his fault
The former president lauded the sincerity and hard work of Villanueva and Napeñas. He also praised Tolentino for his work at the MMDA especially in managing the traffic.
“That (traffic) is not his fault. The traffic jams were there because construction of various infrastructure happened all at once. Pero magaling siya,” Estrada said.
Estrada himself is seeking reelection. He is running against former mayor Alfredo Lim and Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing.
“Ang mga kalaban ko, isang Bumbay, Isang Intsik. Saan kayo?,” Estrada said in jest.
UNA guest candidate
Among Estrada’s choice candidates, six are in the list of the United Nationalist Alliance – Lacson, Gordon, Zubiri, Romualdez, Napenas, and Pacquiao. Sotto is also on UNA’s senate slate along with OFW advocate Susan “Toots” Ople, Paranaque councilor Alma Moreno, broadcast journalist Rey Langit and labor lawyer Allan Montano.
Binay said they respect the independence of their candidates some of whom are affiliated with other political parties. “We won’t require them with anything. And they are happy to have been invited,” Binay added. (With a report from Ellson Quismorio)